In any normal employment setting Rob Roberts’s actions would likely amount to gross misconduct

MP for Delyn, Rob Roberts, is to be suspended from Parliament for six weeks after an independent panel found him guilty of sexual misconduct.

The finding by the panel does not subject Mr Robert to the Recall Act, whereby a sitting MP can be recalled from parliament if enough people in their constituency sign a petition.

Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect, said:

“It is disappointing that the level of sanction that has been imposed on Rob Roberts is little more than a slap on the wrist. In any normal employment setting the facts established in the report would likely amount to gross misconduct and the perpetrator of those actions be dismissed.

“It is clear that despite some progress made in the parliamentary systems of complaints, more needs to be done. A six-week suspension will do little to reassure Prospect members in Parliament that they will be protected from inappropriate and predatory behaviour.

“The Committee on Standards should now consider using the terms of the Recall Act to allow the people of Delyn the opportunity to determine whether or not Rob Roberts should remain as their MP. In light of his behaviour there needs to be sufficient sanction for a recall petition to be submitted – that is after all why the Recall Act was implemented.”